Ancient Coin Books & References

The books listed below will help you learn about the history of the ancient world, as well as interpret the designs and legends on the ancient coins in your collection. Please see our Ancient Coin Books page for a selection of books available for purchase.

Roman Coin References

Ancient Coin Collecting, Vols. 1-4, by Wayne Sayles

Four separate volumes that give an in-depth overview to collecting ancient coins.

Coinage and History of the Roman Empire, Vols. 1 & 2, by David Vagi

Invaluable study of more than 550 years of Roman history and numismatics, in a two-volume set. Biographies of the emperors and their families based on current historical information. An indispensable set, destined to be a classic!

Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins, by John Melville Jones

Traditional A-Z format, this dictionary lists deities, denominations, titles and many other topics.

History and Coinage of the Roman Imperators, 49-27 B.C., by David R. Sear

Exceptional book that covers 435 coin types during this turbulent period of Roman history. Contains a wealth of historical and numismatic information.

Roman Coins and Their Values, Millenium Edition (in five volumes), by David R. Sear

Biblical Coin References

Guide to Biblical Coins, by David Hendin

Fifth edition of the most widely used reference in the field of ancient Judaean and Biblical coins. Describes over 525 coins in detail with current values, charts, line drawings and translations. Interesting and easy to follow.

Ancient Coin Periodicals

Other Ancient Coin Books

100 Greatest Ancient Coins, by Harlan Berk

Part of Whitman Publishing's "100 Greatest" series, this is the first volume dedicated to non-U.S. collectibles. Handsomely illustrated in full color, this edition chronicles each ancient coin's location in history. Glossary depicts featured coins at actual size for comparison. Hardcover, 144 pages. Learn more

Roman Base Metal Coins Guide, by Richard Plant

An aid in identifying the coins in your ancient Roman collection. Includes hundreds of artists' renderings accurately depicting bronze coins by emperor. This comprehensive book covers Rome's Imperial period of coinage, from 27 B.C. – A.D. 476.

The Monetary Systems of the Greeks and Romans, by W.V. Harris

Original research by numismatists, historians and economists into the complexities of ancient Greek and Roman monetary systems – how and why coinage was used, how Greeks and Romans made large and small payments, and how the systems were integrated throughout the empires. Hardcover/softcover, 344 pages.

The Legend of Alexander the Great on Greek and Roman Coins, by Karsten Dahmen

Illustrated presentation of portraits and representations of Alexander the Great on ancient Greek and Roman coins for over 700 years from 320 B.C. to A.D. 400. The posthumous appreciation for Alexander's legend on centuries of coinage is unique in numismatic history. Hardcover/softcover, 179 pages

Essential collector's guide to detection of counterfeits, forgeries and reproductions of ancient coins. Traces the history of well-known forgers, common fakes and manufacturing techniques. Tools and methods of detection are described, and a catalog of unpublished work by renowned coin reproduction artist Peter Rosa is included. Softcover, 196 pages with over 200 illustrations.

Coins, Bodies, Games, and Gold: The Politics of Meaning in Archaic Greece, by Leslie Kurke

Innovative, well-documented study of the ideological functions of ancient metals and money. Demonstrates how rival political groups in ancient Greece used coinage to imprint their views on the world, and reveals fascinating aspects of ancient Greek culture. Hardcover/softcover, 384 pages.